Summary: THere is the war which is fought physically. We can see the enemy, we can plan attacks and counter attacks. But there is an enemy unseen, he has been at war with God since the beginning. He has picked his fight with us. Are we prepared for war?

Preparing for War

2 Chronicles 20:1-19

Listening to the news these days can be very confusing. Listening to this newscaster or this editorial, or this broadcast it is hard to see who is right and who is wrong. One time Mother Teresa was asked to join an anti-war rally, being a peace-loving woman they were sure she would jump at that opportunity. She declined, she said she would not be a part of any anti-war rally, but if they held a pro-peace movement she would participate. The idea has to with negative or positive reinforcement. But listening today to the news and we see rallies all over the world protesting war. Seeing some of these reminded me of days of my youth, when my friends, neighbors, and family were in Vietnam. These protestors are out to show that what America is doing is wrong. However with every anti-war protest there is a counter effort in support of war. There is someone who can articulate why action is better than inaction. It is obvious, especially for those of us who serve in armed forces knows, there is more to this than meets the eye. The President, the leaders of the other nations know more than they are telling.

Martin Niemoeller was one of the most respected Protestant leaders in Germany in the early 1930’s. Niemoeller was a decorated U-Boat captain in the First World War and later became a Christian. In 1933, when he became the most high profile of Hitler’s Christian opponents, he was in charge of a prestigious suburban church in Berlin-Dahlem.

Niemoeller was a leader in the mobilization of the Pastors’ Emergency League, in the Synod that denounced the abuses of Adolf Hitler in the famous "Barmen Declaration," and in other visible actions and sermons that finally led to his arrest on July 1, 1937. There were still a few honest judges functioning in Germany, and when the court let him go with a slap on the wrist Hitler personally ordered his incarceration. Niemoeller was in concentration camps, including long periods of solitary confinement, until the end of the war. (Frank H. Littell, First They Came for the Jews)

Martin Niemoeller, reflecting on the atrocities of Adolf Hitler, wrote the following words.

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out--

because I was not a communist;

Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out--

because I was not a socialist;

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out--

because I was not a trade unionist;

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--

because I was not a Jew;

Then they came for me--

and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Is it none of our business when Saddam Hussein “comes” for the weak in his own society? When he threatens and attacks surrounding nations? Is it none of our business that Saddam Hussein is underwriting terrorism’s attacks around the globe? The proponents of President Bush’s efforts say that inaction will reap consequences for America and others far worse than an all out effort.

So whom do we believe? Who do we trust? What shall we do? Well first of I would encourage you to stop listening to the proponents and the critics. I would encourage you not to be swayed by either side. Instead, listen to what God said.

PR 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course,

but the LORD determines his steps.

We should first understand that God is in control, he knows the plans of President Bush, Saddam Hussein and every leader of the world. God is in control. The real question before us today is not whether we should protest or not, it is not whether we should go to war or not, it is not whether we should stop Saddam Hussein or not, but it is Will we as a nation Cry out to God? Now I know you are saying, we trust God, we believe he will guide us, but we got to do something. Lets look at His word. This story will not lead you to protest, it will not lead you to the recruitment center, hopefully it will lead you and I to our knees to cry out to God on behalf of our leaders, our military and our adversaries.

Jehoshaphat is King of Judah at this time. This is not a time of a united kingdom in Palestine but a divided kingdom of Israel and Judah, Israel to the north and Judah to the South. The story is in 2 Chronicles 20:1-19. The beginning of this story may say to you that America is the attacking force, the Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites and their allies, while Iraq would be Judah. However if we understand Iraq as supporting terrorists and they threaten our way of life, then the allegory changes.

In the threat of war, or action against the way of life in Judah, these armies, bent on world domination came against Judah. The King is made aware of this plot. What does he do?

1. Declares a fast for all of Judah.

a. We have all seen the power of prayer and fasting

i. With prayer and fasting the church set Barnabas and Paul apart as missionaries.

ii. With much prayer and fasting Jesus said that demon possessed people can be delivered

iii. With Prayer and fasting Paul seeks the will of the Lord before and after his conversion.

iv. With Prayer and fasting God delivered the Jews from Haman

v. Prayer and fasting changes the hearts of the Ninevites and thus changes the destruction the Lord was about to put on them.

2. They seek the LORD

a. Seek first the kingdom of God and all HIS righteousness

b. b. Elisha sought the Lord and he sent angels 2Kings 6:15ff 2KI 6:15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.16 "Don’t be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."17 And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, "Strike these people with blindness." So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.

c. Jehoshaphat tells the people to seek the Lord.

d. What have you noticed since 9-11?

i. Aggressive actions to stop the spread of Terrorism

ii. Shortly after the planes hit, people hit the churches.

iii. Similar to that of WW2, each Sunday churches were filled.

iv. We have raised more of a God consciousness in our country

3. What should we do?

a. Our enemies are at our gates, Terrorism continues, Saddam has chemical weapons and more, our sons, daughters, friends, neighbors who are being called to assemble for war.

b. Should we mind our own business?

c. Our leaders should call us to our knees, like Jehoshaphat did back them, like the king of Nineveh did also

d. We are not going to wait for our leaders to do so

If you are truly concerned about what is going to happen I encourage you to join us today and declare a day of prayer and fasting. This Wednesday, Feb 12 we declare a day of prayer and fasting, I will open the building early that morning about 9, you may come as you please, that night instead of our usual prayer and Bible study we will devote the hour or so to prayer and praise. May God do what he did in the days of Jehoshaphat and Go before us and our armed forces.

There is only one way to face uncertainty, and that is by prayer and fasting. The best way for us to face this uncertainty is going to God, it is also a call to be right with God. How can we be right with God, follow his plan, Believe, Repent, Confess, be baptized into Christ, have the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit live in us. If you have never accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, today come forward and receive this peace He can have for you.